“Keeping your wealth secret and that Lizzy will be the heir to all of it is wise. Could you imagine the fortune hunters descending on her like a swarm of locusts? Very strong conditions should be written to guard against fortune hunters, a compromise, or an elopement,” Madeline suggested. “Many women see the latter as romantic, not realising that unless provisions have been made beforehand, they have no protections.”
“I agree with Maddie,” Henry decided. “Remind me to discuss such protections with Crawley on the morrow.”
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
It had taken about ten days until everything was prepared by his solicitor to Henry’s satisfaction. Ironclad protections were designed, both against grasping relatives and any man who would try to force Lizzy into marriage, whether motivated by knowledge of her wealth or not.
Henry took up residence at his house in Grosvenor Square. There he found a black-edged letter which had been forwarded, first from Sherwood Dale, and then Netherfield Park. Henry did not have many friends, so when he saw it was from Pemberley, he opened it nervously because he did not recognise the writing as being that of Robert Darcy’s.
He took a deep breath and began to read.
8 March 1797
Pemberley
Mr Bennet,
I am writing on behalf of my master, Mr Robert Darcy, to inform you that Lady Anne Darcy went to her final reward yesterday, three days after delivering a daughter who is named Georgiana Rebecca Darcy.
Her Ladyship will be laid to rest in about a sennight from the date of this letter, and Mr Darcysays he will understand if you are unable to arrive in time for the interment.
My master will mourn for at least one year, with the first 6 months of deep mourning to be held at this estate.
On behalf of Mr Robert Darcy, I am his secretary,
P McCartney
Regardless of the aloof way Lady Anne had treated him, Henry was saddened to hear of her death. He was aware that Darcy loved his wife deeply, even when, thanks to her sister, she had changed.
With his will written and signed, all that remained was to have a celebratory meal at Gracechurch Street. Henry sent a note to cancel the dinner with an explanation. At daybreak the next day, Henry set off travelling north. His destination was Pemberley, even before stopping at Sherwood Dale.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
On the third day of travel, Henry’s conveyance passed the black fabric draped gateposts at Pemberley. He was contemplative for the rest of the ride up the hill and down the other side as the drive wound down towards the house.
Rather than pull into the courtyard, Henry had his coachman halt at the base of the wide stone steps which led to the double front doors. He made his way up the dozen steps and dropped the knocker onto the thick oak door. He recognised the butler when he opened the door. Henry was about to enter when there was a disturbance in the entrance hall.
A woman, dressed in black while at the same time overdressed for mourning, approached the door. “I am to be consulted regarding any callers,” she screeched.
“My apologies, Lady Catherine, but the master left orders that his friends were to be admitted without delay,” MrDouglas, Pemberley’s butler, attempted to explain to the lady.
Hearing the name, Henry realised this was the sister, the one who had put all of the distinction of rank nonsense into the late Lady Anne’s head.
“Who are you?” Lady Catherine demanded rudely.
“I am a friend of Mr Darcy and Lord Matlock. Why is it that I should answer to you, Madam?” Henry responded. He did not miss how the termagant turned a shade of purple when she was challenged. “As far as I am aware, this is Pemberley, where Mr Darcy is the master.”
“He is, but I am the mistress here, and if you are one of the tradesmen with whom my brother-in-law associated against my wishes, I mean, my sister’s wishes, then you will leave…” Anything else Lady Catherine was about to say was lost.
“CATHERINE!” Darcy, who had heard the commotion and came to see what his sister-in-law was up to again, shouted, which caused the lady to close her mouth. “You arenotthe mistress here and never will be. Have I not already told you that you have no authority over with whom I associate?”
“You denigrate the memory of my sister by allowing men of whom she did not approve to enter your home,” Lady Catherine claimed as soon as she was able to speak.
“Until you poured poison into my wife’s ears, she did not hold your ridiculous opinions as her own. Now stand aside, and allow my friend to enter unmolested,” Darcy demanded.
“In that case, I will depart with Fitzwilliam and Georgiana. I will not allow my daughter’s betrothed to remain here while you insist on polluting the shades…”
“My sonisnotengaged to anyone. You may think you control everyone and everything, Catherine. You do not! In fact, I want you out of my house; I will have your coach called for, and you will not return to Pemberley without a written invitation from me. Now go pack!” Darcy commanded.
